£1.5 million of Executive funding for pioneering research into patient experiences at the University of Stirling’s new Cancer Care Research Centre

Cancer care will only improve by listening more to the experiences of patients and their carers, Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said today.

He was announcing £1.5 million of Executive funding for pioneering research into patient experiences at the University of Stirling’s new Cancer Care Research Centre.

The Centre, the only one of its kind in the UK, was opened by the Health Minister in October last year. It has set out an extensive programme of work to improve outcomes for patients with cancer over the next three years. This will include:

• Undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of the symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment, resulting in the first ever database of cancer related morbidity.
• Establishing a substantive body of cancer care research focused on the experiences of patients and carers, throughout all phases of their illness.
• Exploring a range of methods to capture the views of patients, carers and the public about cancer care in Scotland.
• Involving patients and carers in directing the activity of the Centre.
  

Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:

“Cancer remains a significant challenge in Scotland and I am committed to reducing the burden of this disease.

“Currently our knowledge of patients’ experiences of cancer is limited so gathering reliable information on patients’ experience of cancer, and of their treatment and care, is essential if we are to make real progress in designing services around patients’ needs and securing improved patient outcomes.

“The Cancer Care Research Centre will operate as a national resource for patient experience research with implications for all areas of healthcare but maximum impact on cancer services.

“It will establish a robust source of information on patient experiences and trends in cancer related morbidity in Scotland, which will better equip us to tackle cancer in Scotland. This information will be of use to everyone with an interest in cancer in Scotland.

“It will also enable us to provide cancer care which ensures that patients, their families and carers are not only informed about their care but are actively involved in influencing, planning and developing that care.”

The Centre’s Director, Professor Nora Kearney, said:

“This level of support from the Scottish Executive highlights the emphasis they place on listening to patients and carers. Undertaking this large programme of work will allow, for the first time, a systematic approach to understanding patients’ experiences of cancer and allow us to develop cancer services which are responsive to patients needs.

“In addition we will develop a national system for data collection and analysis of cancer-related morbidity which will result in a comprehensive picture of the true burden of cancer and will facilitate more efficient costing of cancer services and inform workforce planning.

“It places patients and their carers at the forefront of cancer care and we will work with them throughout Scotland to ensure their views are heard and acted upon.”